Today, as promised, are some more ideas when cooking for one or two people or cooking on a very LIMITED budget. There are ways, when the money is short, to cook up a tasty and healthy meal. A little imagination and some basic ingredients can make for some tasty bites.
I can eat at least 4 meals from a head of cabbage. I love cabbage in all ways. This can be fairly inexpensive, especially at certain times of the year. So many ways to use it.
You can fry, steam, or roast it. Eggrolls, chopped eggroll bowl, ferment and make kraut, slaw, cabbage steaks, merely mixed in a fresh salad, stir fry, added to soups and casseroles. Shoot, when I make fish tacos - I shred and place on the tacos with some ranch dressing. The list goes on and on.
It is filling and good for you. It is wonderful cooked with any pork product.
It is pretty easy to grow as well. Heck you could grow in a flower bed - edible and lovely to look at.
POTATOES - I know potatoes went up in price for a while - but I am constantly finding potatoes on great sales now. I even, at times, buy in the .99 clearance bags in the produce dept. I can usually get 6 or 7 nice potatoes (perfect for baking) this way.
This is another relatively cheap food that can be fixed in an innumerable amount of ways.
Fried, mashed, boiled, roasted, in soups, casseroles, cheesy, salads.............
If you have never made them - try fried smashed potatoes. I cook about halfway in the microwave (whole) - then place in a skillet with a little oil (I love bacon grease) - use a smasher and flatten. Fry until golden on each side. Best of baked/fried!!!!!!!
Baked potatoes can make an easy and filling meal - top with any leftovers you have in your frig and boom - you have a great meal.
Yep, you can find corned beef, and even shrimp and crab. All kinds of meats to choose from. Now some are expensive (ground beef) - but others are fairly cheap.
You can even use the starchy water from boiling potatoes to make breads and rolls.
CANNED MEATS
Yes, fresh meats are my preferred choice - but maybe that isn't possible. Some people cannot afford to buy fresh. The dollar stores and even places like Aldi - sells lots of canned meats. Most are MEAT and water (in the can) - not a mix of stuff. So yes, it is good for you as well.
I love to have all types of canned meat on hand - you never know when a freezer will go out (and you have loss), or electricity will go out, or you just can't afford anything else. It is good to be prepared for anything. Many food banks give canned meats - so helpful for those in need.
Think - tuna, salmon, chicken, beef, pork, small hams, turkey, and yes - even Spam or Spam like products (sorry I like them).
You can add to soups, veggies, fried rice, stir fry, casseroles, made into patties, on top of salads, sliced and fried for breakfast or for sandwiches......................... Again, tons of uses.
Here's a simple idea - tasty and the kiddos would love them too!
CHICKEN NUGGETS
2 small cans (or a larger one) chicken, 1 egg, 2 Tbsp. bread crumbs, 2 Tbsp. shredded cheese, seasoning. Fry until golden. Can also make in an air fryer - 12 minutes or so at 400*.
CARROTS
Another inexpensive food and very good for you. Steam, roast, fresh in salads of all sorts, soups, casseroles, just for munching! I love carrots.
Another fun thing you can try and grown - amongst the flowers - no one would even know!!!!!
Shred and add to sweet breads or muffins. Add shredded carrots to smoothies. There are sneaky ways to get kiddos to eat veggies. Shred and blend into spaghetti sauce or chili!
Cooking less or small doesn't have to be a chore. REALLY!!!!! I can take a handful of carrots and steam or roast with other things and yum! Add some cheese and even better. Brown sugar and butter - yum.
I can make a meal of a baked potato - topped with whatever I have leftover.
A small can of meat can be added to about anything. I do enjoy in fried rice at times, or making tuna patties/croquettes (instead of salmon) - because it is cheaper and milder tasting. Canned pork and shredded beef is actually very good. Great way to make a small amount of BBQ for sandwiches, or add to some frozen or dried noodles for a hearty dinner.
Not everything has to be fresh - use can use frozen and canned and still have a great meal. Semi-homemade is just fine. Don't beat yourself up about using what you have.
Have fun, use your imagination and cook a tasty dinner!!!!!
GET CREATIVE
I plan to keep this series going for a few weeks!!!
Thank you so much, Cheryl. Excellent ideas! I keep some canned meat on hand, too, as well as canned beans for meatless or less-meat meals. I'll have to try the smashed potato and chicken nuggets. A can of chicken meat can go pretty far with a good amount of veggies for Chicken & Dumplings that's ready in 30 minutes or less.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of chicken, AZ shoppers can get b/s chicken breast meat at Safeway this week (digital coupon) for $1.77 lb. (limit of 6 lbs.). They're usually very large, so one can make a couple of meals. Other digital coupons include 1 lb. strawberries for $1.27 ea. (limit of 2). Why pay more than $1 each for chocolate dipped strawberries when you can make your own using any chocolate chips you have on hand? Lucerne 18 count large eggs are $2.47 ea. (limit of 2). Yoplait yogurt is 49 cents each, and asparagus is $1.99 lb. There are clip or click coupons for a variety of things, including milk for $1.47 half gallon. Cereals, pancake mix and syrup for $2.79 ea. There are $5 Friday specials on Lobster tails, 2/$5 on various berries, 2/$5 Sargento cheese, 3/$5 sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese and aerosol whipped cream, 2/$5 Thomas' bagels, and even $5 on a mixed bouquet of flowers.
Basha's (AZ) has 4/$5 American Beauty pastas, 2/$5 OJ or English Muffins, 2/$5 salsas, and 99 cent chicken drumsticks or thighs Other sale prices are higher than they were a month ago, especially for beef and produce. Maverick gasoline price was $4.07 gal. yesterday. Safeway is closer, so we'll skip Basha's this week.
I really appreciate this series, Cheryl. SO many good ideas. Have a blessed Wednesday! --Elise
Thanks. I hope it helps many. Some folks just don't have the funds to buy a lot of fresh meats, and the canned meat products help them. Fresh veggies can be stretched in a lot of ways.
DeleteSounds like great deals - plenty of tasty treats for Mother's Day. WOW - that is expensive gas!
Enjoy!
Yes, Cheryl, especially seniors on fixed incomes, as there's often little wiggle room, and inflation continues. As you know, a goal of mine is to be able to include some recipes with donations to senior communities in our area. I'm still waiting to see if I can donate fresh meats/dairy that I've divided up and vacuum sealed at home... or divide and vacuum seal on site? It could sure be a help to many. --Elise
DeleteI agree - many people just need help and ideas on using less foods or different foods. I think that would be nice to be able to donate part packs. Maybe if it were done on site - they might allow.
DeleteGrowing up we never had fresh vegetables in the winter it was always canned fruit and vegetables. Mom sometimes canned chicken in the fall when we would butcher them. She didn’t enjoy canning meat as the processing time was so long. I didn’t enjoy butchering day because I had the smallest hands and had the privilege of cleaning out the insides. I do buy canned meats as it takes up less space in the freezer and cuts down on prep time. I learned to do that as a working mom who needed dinner on the table fairly quickly. Plus I was to tired to cook.
ReplyDeleteI love you smashed potato idea. I am going to try that. Nancy in Vancouver WA
I am glad I never had to process fresh meat/animals!
DeleteCanned meats are very tasty and you are so right, they sure do make prep time a lot quicker. I keep some of all of it around.
The smashed potatoes are yummy - a little crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. One of my favorites. Enjoy!
Such good ideas! It's fun to play with your food! The Farmer planted lots of potatoes this year. We've never had fingerlings but my neighbor says they are good. The Farmer planted purple potatoes once but I'm not a fan. We don't have the sweet potato slips yet but 25 (25!) are coming. They do last well, we still have some from last harvest. We canned hamburger but haven't canned chicken yet. I may do that for the dog's food, which I make. We do have quite a bit of canned meat, beef and chicken, along with tuna and salmon.
ReplyDeleteMy comment from yesterday got lost...who know where...ha! I said that you are smart of remove yourself from a potentially toxic relationship. You are plenty capable of taking care of yourself.
Going out to spray roses before it rains again in a few days. Still lots of cleanup to do but hopefully it will be all done (or mostly finished) before we start planting.
Thanks. Hope the potato slips come soon. I know I am late - but may plant some potatoes this year myself.
DeleteI think I need to move past that relationship as well - sometimes things just change.
I plan to go out soon and work on the yard - dew should be dry soon! Enjoy this gorgeous day!
Loving this series! Lots I had done in the past but needed my memory jogged. Making me look at things with fresh eyes. I have never done the smashed potatoes...that sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteWe can venison and have done beef or fish also. So handy and versatile to have on hand.
I read faithfully but forget to comment. Thanks to you and all comment it's for the great forum and helpful ideas! Blessings !
Thanks!! I think sometimes we all need reminders. Life gets busy and we forget sometimes. Maybe we get some new readers too - just learning. Hope this helps others.
DeleteSo glad to have you here.
Thanks for more ideas! Potatoes are up a bit in price here but for us there is no better produce item to keep on hand. If you are stumped on what to make for supper just get some potatoes in the oven to bake and go from there. Even a baked potato and 2-3 other veggies makes a great meal. I like to make a bowl of KFC coleslaw and eat it most suppers for a week. Salad prepped and ready to eat is great! We home can many meats and they are wonderful to be able to grab and open up for a meal starter. A couple of weeks ago we did 11 pints of beef cubes. These are wonderful for so many things and pints are perfect for two. Most other meats we do in pints and there are so many possibilities for meals in those pint jars.
ReplyDeleteI agree with potatoes = always makes a meal for those days when you are sure what to have!! I love throwing leftovers on top with maybe cheese or sour cream - Mmmmmmm.
DeleteI love so many home can meat - I never have. I just buy it that way. Guess it is something I should learn.
Many comments here refer to experience home canning meats. Would any of you care to share your tips and tricks for those of us unfamiliar with canning meat? I'm looking into an Instant Pot with features for both yogurt making and canning. Thanks in advance!
ReplyDelete--Elise
Elise, I have pressure canned chicken and hamburger, mostly with help from some people on FB. It's very easy. I guess the hardest part would be using the pressure canner but after using it for a while now I am very comfortable with it.
DeleteI love my Instant Pot, use it a lot. I have a 6 qrt Duo. I don't know so much about the one that would have the canning feature. I have read when some people don't recommend canning in one because it doesn't reach proper temperature. I know things are always improving though.
Cheryl, IMO is a canning Queen. She has helped me out a lot.
PS: Have you done any canning before?
DeleteThanks, Laurie. Just ordered the Instant Pot Duo (6 quart) for Mother's Day. I haven't ever done pressure canning, just traditional canning of jams, jellies and apple butter. I saw that the Instant Pot won't work for meats, but am still interested in learning how to do that. I can use the instant pot for homemade yogurt and other things, including pulled pork, beef or chicken for the freezer using much less overall energy (and time) than my crock pot. I think. LOL! --Elise
DeleteThanks Laurie - but meat is one thing I have not canned!!!! My brother has, and he keeps telling me he will teach me. I love so many of you have canned meat. That is so neat.
DeleteI have heard the Carey Instant Pot is great for canning all kinds of things. Many of the groups I follow mention using it.
https://nchfp.uga.edu/. National Center for Home Food Preservation . There are lots more I'll have to look them up. Do you have a pressure canner? A must if you are canning meat.
DeleteI can meat regularly and it is so easy! Just cube up you meat, 1 inch cubes are a good size, and pack the raw meat into jars. Nothing gets added. Wipe the rims and put on your lids and rings. Pressure can meats for 75 minutes for pints and 90 minutes for quarts. I do chicken breast, pork lion and beef that way. We also do two chicken thighs in a wide moth pint. Just remove the skin and put them in the jar. Once again do not add anything. Look on YouTube for a video on canning pork carnitas. They are absolutely delicious and it is just pork cubes and seasonings on top and into the canner. Once you have meat on your shelves and find how delicious and versatile it is there is no going back! Casseroles, pot pies, chicken salad are so simple to make. We open a jar of beef and make some brown gravy and put that over mashed potatoes for a quick meal that is yummy like going back to Grandma's for Sunday dinner!
DeleteHmmm....my understanding is that you can NOT do canning in an InstaPot. Its not that kind of pressure cooker.
DeleteEllie
Central Az
The queen of canning is Jackie Clay who writes for Backwoods Home Magazine. She as a book on canning that's got everything in it. If you want to can toad tongues, it's in there. Just kidding....:-)
DeleteEllie
Thank you, Lana. I appreciate the information. Ellie, you're correct: Instant Pots aren't recommended for canning safely. You can only do hot water canning in them, not pressure canning. I'll look into Jackie Clay's book. Thanks!
Delete--Elise
Hormel Roast Beef with Gravy is expensive, but cheaper than going for a restaurant meal or fast food. If I want food now, I can make some Idahoan mashed potatoes, heat the roast beef, and open a can of green beans. If you want to and have a potato, microwave the potato instead of the dehydrated potato. Of course, whatever canned vegetables you have on hand is your choice.
ReplyDeleteIt is very tasty - I agree. I have had it before. It makes a great meal, with whatever you want to add.
DeletePotatoes were a staple when I was growing up. Mom had a large garden and we had cold storage in the basement, so there would be bags and bags and bags of potatoes. We'd use the last of them in the spring for planting that year.
ReplyDeleteI don't cook them as often, as I tired of them, but we probably have them at least once or twice a week. I wish I could convince my son to eat more veg, he does enjoy cooked carrots, but I can't even envision him eating cooked cabbage. :p
I've always a few cans of tuna in the cupboard, and I haven't bought Spam or canned ham for some time. I used them a lot when I lived in northern Saskatchewan, as I only had a small fridge freezer.
Good post!
I love potatoes. They were a staple in my home growing up too.
DeleteI love cabbage too! In any form!!!!!
Canned meats are great for that reason as well - many have limited space.
Thanks!
I usually keep several types of canned meats. Chicken, tuna, corned beef, and deviled ham, if that counts. My grandpa used to sit me on his lap and feed me that on a homemade tortilla. My grandma hated it so it was our thing! I still love it. My grandma made salmon patties when I was young, but I probably haven't had one since I was a teen. Another fave that my grandpa shared with me was sardines. I'm not sure what happened with that, but I shudder at the thought of eating those lol.
ReplyDeleteApparently Kansas was a little Idaho in that I have heard countless stories from older church friends about their eating potatoes every single day. They grew well and they were cheap. A story that still sticks in my head was about how one day, friend found a meat market wrapper in the fridge. She ran out to tell all her siblings they had meat for dinner. They danced! The meat was a single hot dog for a family of 9!! Mom sliced tissue thin slices and each person got 3. Friend said they were completely silent while savoring those bites.
Oh my gosh - I love the hotdog story!!!!! Isn't it something what would bring pleasure to others. Today, no one would consider a hotdog anything to get excited. Joy is divine and different for all.
DeleteI don't think I could do sardines! Daddy liked them - I just couldn't stand the smell. The deviled ham - that would be fine.
Sweet memories!
Oh, and for the 4th time in 5 weeks, I was overcharged for a sale item. Instead of $3.49, I was charged $5.99. Twice. So I got $5.25 back. And the shelf was clearly marked. CHECK YOUR RECEIPTS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder, Debby. Hubs was shorted discounts, too, on the few things he bought last week, but he went through self-check. --Elise (who dislikes self-check)
DeleteDang girl - you aren't lucky with the prices!!! I usually check - only once in a while do I see something wrong.
DeleteThere has been a long line at customer service at the two groceries where I shop. ALL from being overcharged. Mine was in the five dollar range, the gal next to me had over $20. worth of overcharges. I'm now in a habit of checking before I leave the store.
DeleteEllie
WOW Ellie - that is a lot of money to be cheated out of - $20!!
DeleteI do love me some cabbage, but still not really cooking.
ReplyDeleteIt will come in time - trust me! One day something wonderful will come to mind - and you will cook!
DeleteI love cabbage, cauliflower and mushrooms as meat substitutes. I have to say I've never tried canned meat other than home canned.
ReplyDeleteI love all those things too. I truly do enjoy veggies.
DeleteIt really is decent. Many don't know how or the means to can meat - so it is a good option.
My father had to have fried potatoes EVERY night, so I ate a lot of potatoes growing up, not so much now and never fried. He also had to have Great Northern beans every week, so he ate those every night, too. And, we always had meat.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a country guy! We had potatoes fixed all kinds of ways and had lots of beans as well. I still love those things.
DeleteWhen you peel potatoes for mashed potatoes always peel some extra for another meal! A little oil in a skillet and throw them in with salt and pepper and you have better home fries than any restaurant! i also make a couple extra baked potatoes for the same purpose every time we bake potatoes. Peel and slice and brown them up and you have a wonderful breakfast with some eggs and toast.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas. Yum - that all sounds so good. I love potatoes - oh heck, I love just about all veggies!!!!
DeleteThanks
I've also done that with potato skins and baked potatoes, Lana. They're yummy! --Elise
DeleteCabbage is a staple in our home. We love it fried up with bacon and onions, all the things you mentioned too, and I just found a recipe on youtube for cabbage fritters. They are delicious and so very filling. Cabbage and onions are sauteed cooled and then pureed in the blender with a couple of eggs and a little flour to hold them together, seasoning to your like. We make mock crab cakes also, using shredded zucchini from the garden and then all the ingredients one would use if they were using crab. I grow loads of zucchini to shred and freeze for the winter so we can make those.
ReplyDeleteMy mom would always add leftover mashed potatoes of canned salmon and make salmon croquettes. She also made something she called giblet soup with the giblets and wings from chickens that she saved and made little meatballs from hamburger and added them to the soup along with many vegetables. I have a favorite carrot cake recipe called "Grandma's sheep wagon carrot cake." It has no eggs and only a tablespoon of butter in it, raisins and just a cup of sugar,some spices and, of course, flour.
Since tomatoes have too much histamine for me in them I make no'mato sauce with carrots and a beet, Italian seasoning,garlic and a dash of vinegar to give it the acid. It's great with anything that requires spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce, even subs for the tomato sauce in chili. When the store has a deal on frozen veggies like they did this week for 99 cents a bag I stock up. So much can be done with cauliflower too. Cookie
I love the cabbage and/or zucchini fritters. Make them often in summer and fall. Never heard of putting mashed potatoes in with salmon. That sounds tasty.
DeleteYou need to share that carrot cake recipe if you could!!!!!! Sounds like something everyone here would love to have.
Not sure what I would do if I had to stop eating tomatoes!!
Your sauce sounds good.
Next week will be partly on frozen veggies!!!!!
Good shopping.
Great ideas Cheryl. I buy canned hams, tuna, salmon, flakes of chicken, flakes of turkey, and corned beef. Love all of them.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks! I buy those too. Nice to have on hand. Makes cooking very easy sometimes.
DeleteThank you, Cookie!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cookie, I will definitely try this cake this weekend. Louise
ReplyDeleteI am making that cake! Probably for Sunday dinner for family.
ReplyDeleteMock crab cakes sound good too.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMorning Cheryl. Good ideas on this post. I bought a massive cauliflower yesterday, love it raw in salads, cooked with cheese sauce, in fritters or mashed. I have added canned corner beef to the next shopping list, have not had that for ages. I am having to 'talk' to my zucchini (courgette) seeds that I have planted as I only have three up from 14 seeds!!!
ReplyDeleteMy late mother in law told us several times of the year of very bad snow (unusual in the UK) where father in law could not work in the building trade for some time and the family lived on potatoes cooked in so many different ways. She was Irish and made the most wonderful colcannon, potatoes, shredded cabbage, cooked bacon pieces and cream, if the budget allowed.
Thanks. Mmmmm cauliflower - so many ways. I think fresh is my favorite - but with cheese - can't go wrong!
DeleteGood luck with the zucchini!
People were so resourceful back in the day. They knew what they had in abundance and what they could afford, and made do the best they could. You are here today - so what they did in the past says they survived!!!!!
Thank you!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome. It's very important that you let the cake mellow for a couple of days before slicing and serving. And because all ovens are different, check the loaves after an hour or so.
ReplyDeleteRECIPE CORRECTION: Put the first 7 ingredients into the pot and then proceed. If you like your carrot cake a little spicier a tiny bit of cloves could be added to the mix as well.
ReplyDeleteCookie
Fresh cauliflower head in one store by me was $4.99 and $2.79 at another. Fortunately I have some frozen bags I got on clearance. Not something I planned to grow this year but might have to next year!
ReplyDeleteI'm so focused on buying clearance items that when I see the regular prices I'm shocked. How are people affording all this stuff? What I see in people's carts is eye opening. I'm not seeing a lot of bargain shoppers (yet). I guess food is one area people don't want to feel like they're missing out.
But honestly I think I eat better nowadays because I shop frugally and I'm more creative when preparing meals. Anybody can fry up an expensive steak and bake a potato and buy a cheesecake for dessert! Lol....Tonight hubs got a Mexican meal (chicken based) that cost around a dollar, maybe a dollar and a quarter. For dessert he had chocolate covered shortbread I got for half off after Easter. He seemed satisfied!
I was talking to the man at my store who was putting out the clearance items. He said he shops the section when he gets off work. He added that even Aldi's was getting high. (Yes, their prices have gone up but still most items are cheaper there. It helps to stop in another grocery store to be reminded how much cheaper they are. Unlike other stores though they rarely use fresh produce as a loss leader.
Finally, the 99 cents packages of strawberries showed up. Limit 4. Got 4. Already ate one pack. Rest into freezer. Last summer we had 99 cents strawberries from April to July. I was afraid we wouldn't get them that cheap again. I'd just recently finished up the ones I froze last summer. I froze a lot last year. I'd buy several packages every time I saw a 99 cent sale. I figured I might not see 99 cents ever again.
~margaret